Ipswich legend Marcus Stewart insists 'life keeps going' amid battle with motor neurone disease two years on from devastating diagnosis

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Ipswich Town legend Marcus Stewart has outlined his defiant approach two years on from being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Stewart is best known for scoring 19 goals for the Tractor Boys during the 2000-01 Premier League season.

His efforts helped the newly promoted side finish fifth in the table and earn a place in Europe.

The 51-year-old was diagnosed with MND in January 2022, and announced it in September the same year.

Stewart, speaking to Sky Sports, revealed how his mindset during his playing career has helped him face disappointments that come with MND.

Marcus Stewart has discussed his mindset two years on from his MND diagnosis

The ex-Ipswich Town forward was diagnosed in January 2022 and announced it in September that year

Stewart is best known for scoring 19 goals to help Ipswich finish fifth in the Premier League

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'MND lives with me, I don't live with MND, that's it, my life keeps going,' he said.

'I dealt with disappointments quite easily when I played football. Don't know how, don't know why but adversity to me was a fuel, it wasn't a negative, and it's the same with this.

'There's a bit of fire in my belly still and very rarely does the thought of what might happen with MND get into the back of my mind.

'You know with MND that sometimes you get a disappointment, something happens to their body where they can’t use something and that’s got to be tough to deal with.

'Mine is every two or three months. When I have that when something stops working in my body, it will take me two or three days to get over that disappointment but once I am, I am fine.'

MND is a rare and incurable condition affects the brain and nerves, robbing sufferers of their ability to move, to eat and eventually breathe. 

Around 5,000 adults in the UK have MND and there is a one in 300 risk of developing the condition over the course of a person's life.

Stewart has declared that MND 'lives with him' and insists that 'life goes on'

Stewart believes coping with disappointments in his playing career have helped him when confronting the MND diagnosis

Stewart is raising funds for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, named after ex-professional footballer Stephen Darby, right

Speaking to Mail Sport last year, Stewart said he had lost grip in his left hand which had forced him to give up golf and could no longer tie his own shoelaces. 

The 51-year-old said his right hand is now becoming affected, but is still able to continue with activities, such as driving and being able to pick up cups of tea.

Stewart, who continues to work as head of player development at Yeovil Town, earlier this year completed a 178-mile 'March of the Day' to raise money towards medical research for MND.

Funds were raised for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, named after the former professional footballer Stephen Darby, who was diagnosed with the condition at 29-years-old.

Stewart and his family are continuing to raise funds through Team Stewart, with over £370,000 having been raised to support the charity.

 The Stewart family are raising funds for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. Visit: www.justgiving.com/team/teamstewart254